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The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast

Andrew Barnikel, Connor Wright
MLS
Major League Soccer
US Open Cup
Jaime Moreno
Carlos Ruiz
Sebastian Giovinco
Joseph Martinez
Robbie Keane
Toronto FC
Houston Dynamo
Chris Wondolowski
Landon Donovan
Kei Kamara
Clint Dempsey
Chicago Fire
David Beckham
Premier League
New England Revolution
Don Garber
USL

We are The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast! Your home for all things MLS, Past Present and Future! Hosted by Andrew Barnikel and Connor Wright

PublishesDailyEpisodes453Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Sports NewsSportsSoccerNews

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Latest Episodes

In this episode, MLS History RETURNS! We are diving into one of the coolest and oldest traditions in MLS History, the Portland Timbers' Log Cutting Tradition!

Recorded on: 3/23/26

#MLS #MLSCup #mlscupplayoffs #ATLUTD #atlantaunited #austinfc #charl... more

In this episode, we chat about the biggest MLS News Stories on the week! MLS has announced its new playoff schedule for the 2026 season as well as their schedule for the highly anticipated "sprint season" in Feb 2027. USMNT also dropped their roster ... more

In this episode, we chat about the biggest MLS News Stories on the week! USL has a strike on the table, but isn't using it just yet. Should they? MLS also handed out lifetime bans to two former players for betting on their games. And finally, drama a... more

In this episode, MLS History RETURNS! We are diving into how DC United, RFK Stadium, and a Family of Raccoons created one of the best memes in MLS history that still goes on to this day!

Recorded on: 3/8/26

#MLS #MLSCup #mlscupplayoffs #ATLUTD #atl... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Mike Ace Palane
Mike from Orlando Lions Den, Orlando City coverage
Orlando Lions Den
Episode: Episode 447: Griezmann to MLS, Apple TV Week 1 Numbers and Coaches on the Hot Seat ft Orlando Lions Den!
Bob V
Soccer analyst and podcaster
The Designated Pundits
Episode: Episode 446: The State Of MLS Media with Bob From The Designated Pundits!
Brian Mauer
Content creator and podcaster at Top In 90
Top In 90
Episode: Episode 440: A Not So Deep Dive Into Charlotte FC's 2026 Season ft TopBin90!
Matt Baker
Covers St. Louis City details, including training and game analysis.
Flyover Footy
Episode: Episode 439: A Not So Deep Dive Into St Louis City's 2026 Season ft Flyover Footy!
Kerry Redman
Member of the New York Red Bulls Discussion Group Podcast and an insightful fan.
New York Red Bulls Discussion Group Podcast
Episode: Episode 436: A Not So Deep Dive Into Red Bull New York's 2026 Season ft NYRBDG Podcast!
Mitchell Carroll
Co-host of Commerce City Radio, soccer analyst
Commerce City Radio
Episode: Episode 433: A Not So Deep Dive Into Colorado Rapids' 2026 Season ft Commerce City Radio!
Corey Brady
Football analyst and writer for Toronto Reds
torontoreds.com
Episode: Episode 432: A Not So Deep Dive Into Toronto FC's 2026 Season ft Corey Brady!
John Rawlins
Lifelong Orlando City fan and content creator with a YouTube channel
John Rawlins TV
Episode: Episode 426: A Not So Deep Dive Into Orlando City's 2026 Season ft John Rawlins TV!
Adam Susman
Sports commentator and creator for The Timber Review
The Timber Review
Episode: Episode 425: A Not So Deep Dive Into The Portland Timbers' 2026 Season ft Adam Susman!

Hosts

Andrew Barnikel
Host of The Designated Players, co-host of MLS-focused show, active in MLS discussions and guest coordination.
Connor Wright
Co-host of The Designated Players, engages in tactical discussions and guest integration.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 39 ratings
  • Good pod

    Guys do a good job and are talented at podcasting. However knowledge could be stronger. For example how can you repeatedly call the league MVP “Luchy.” It’s Lucho. And similar mistakes that makes me wonder how much soccer you watch. It’s like having an nba podcast and calling him “dabron james.”

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    CompetitivePokemonAllTheWay
    United States2 years ago
  • English

    Please learn how to speak English

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    g3423
    United States2 years ago
  • Great Podcast to get your weekly MLS updates, awesome interview guests from all over the country, and a real fun time overall!

    Podchaser
    5
    Andrew Barnikel
    6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Lively, community-focused discussions that fans find engaging.
Candid host banter is a hallmark, though a few want deeper tactical breakdowns.
English language clarity is variable in parts of episodes.
Occasional inaccuracies in team/player names noted by some listeners.
Insightful MLS analysis with strong guest perspectives.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#179
United States/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#54
Chile/Sports/Soccer

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 448: MLS Coaches Continue To Fail In Europe ft Celtic: The Unrestricted View Podcast!
Q: Do you think that the reputation of MLS managers is now going to be limited because of these two coaches who have not been successful?
Yes, it could hurt perceptions in some boards, leading teams to search more broadly and conduct more interviews, but it's not fair to judge all MLS managers by two mid-season failures; there will still be opportunities for others who can adapt and show results.”
Episode 446: The State Of MLS Media with Bob From The Designated Pundits!
Q: What do you think about MLS's current media strategy?
Bob believes that concerns regarding the media shift are somewhat exaggerated, but acknowledges that the loss of long-time contributors is troubling.
Episode 436: A Not So Deep Dive Into Red Bull New York's 2026 Season ft NYRBDG Podcast!
Q: Does the system work right out of the gate?
It's going to be a slow start; they need to work on cohesion.
Episode 436: A Not So Deep Dive Into Red Bull New York's 2026 Season ft NYRBDG Podcast!
Q: What is a big question you have for this group as we get to 2026?
Can they close out games?
Episode 435: A Not So Deep Dive Into Houston Dynamo's 2026 Season ft Bayou City Soccer!
Q: What new players should fans be excited about?
Matthew Bogus and Lucas Halter stand out as promising new additions.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Designated Players

What is The Designated Players about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A weekly roundtable focused on MLS, roster moves, parity, media strategy, and upcoming seasons across teams. Episodes often feature insider perspectives from guests affiliated with MLS clubs, media outlets, and fan communities, plus lively debate about league direction, presenting a mix of transfer analysis, tactical takeaways, and media/tech shifts shaping coverage. The show stands out for blending in-depth team previews with broad league context, accessible banter, and guest expertise from a range of MLS markets, making it useful for listeners who want both concrete team-level insights and broader trends in American soccer. Potential listeners may value sharp opinions, practical implications for clubs and sponsors, and a community-driven ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Designated Players?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Designated Players:

1. MLS Now Podcast
2. Battered Soccer Fans
3. Soccerwise
4. The Designated Pundits | MLS Analysis, Expert Picks, and Insider Discussions
5. Total Soccer Show: USMNT, Champions League, EPL, and more ...

How many episodes of The Designated Players are there?

The Designated Players launched 6 years ago and published 453 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Designated Players?

Recent guests on The Designated Players include:

1. Mike Ace Palane
2. Bob V
3. Brian Mauer
4. Matt Baker
5. Kerry Redman
6. Mitchell Carroll
7. Corey Brady
8. John Rawlins

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